Offshore wind turbines could be coming to Nova Scotia.
A regional assessment is taking place, and members of a government-appointed committee are touring the province, displaying information and getting public feedback.
The information was displayed on posters throughout the room at Mariners Centre Wednesday afternoon.
Many local fishers in attendance voiced their displeasure with the format of the meeting.
Dan Fleck with the Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Association says it was informal, and there were no actual presentations.
“There’s a few documents and maps that are laid out on a table, outdated from 2009-2018. That’s the latest data they have. All of the places they might want to put these windmills are in our prime fishing areas,” said Fleck.
Fleck added, it doesn’t make sense to jeopardize a 400-year old fishery that’s the lifeblood of this province.
“They want the prime fishing grounds. There are all sorts of prime lands in Nova Scotia. Take whatever you want in this province, but why would you play Russian Roulette with the fishery?”
Dan Fleck of the Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Association speaks at the Regional assessment for offshore wind meeting at Mariners Centre (Acadia News Photo)
Ann Wilkie with the committee says offshore wind is a new industry for Nova Scotia, and their goal right now is to listen.
“Many groups want to talk to us, the committee is splitting its time. It’s a large geographical area. We want to meet with as many groups and stakeholders as we can,” said Wilkie.
Wilkie says offshore wind has delivered power in Europe for 20-30 years, and Nova Scotia has a good wind resource, but they’ve got to do it correctly.
She says the committee has met with individual fishers and umbrella groups throughout the province.
A tentative, more narrow map of potential sites will be issued in the spring, taking into account heavily fished areas, Marine Protected Areas and more.
A final report is expected in less than a year.
Another meeting is slated for Mariners Centre Wednesday night, with 2 more at the Community Centre in Shelburne tomorrow.
Those in attendance were able to provide written feedback (Acadia News Photo)
